The Ultimate Guide to Subscription Grooming

In simpler times, a monthly subscription service meant a wine- or cheese-of-the-month, or 12 CD's for a penny. Now we live in a world where any desire, fetish or need can be boxed up and dropped at your door every four weeks. But not all services are created equal, and some offer more "service" than others, ranging from home goods to clothing and everything in between. The place where a subscription service is likeliest to come in handy is the bathroom, where most guys will wait 'til the deodorant, toothpaste or shave balm is near-gone before begging the girlfriend to add some items to the next soap.com order. But why wait to mix up the daily routine? Here are some of the top grooming-based services, tailored for today's discerning man who wants only the best (with minimal effort).

Birchbox Man
The most well-known of all subscription services, Birchbox has a $20 monthly fee which nets you a collection of sample-size grooming products and the occasional higher-priced item from brands looking to make an impression (and convert larger sales at the Birchbox e-commerce site). If you're looking to enter the category, this is a great place to start—you can score items from Crew, Field Notes, Zirh and more. birchbox.com

Dollar Shave Club
With prices starting at $1 a month (plus shipping and handling), users can get five cartridges and a free handle. That's only the introduction; prices go up to $6 a month for four blades and $9 a month for six. Their offerings also include Dr. Carver's Easy Shave Butter ($8) and One Wipe Charlies ($4), which are succinctly described as "buttwipes made for men." dollarshaveclub.com

Bespoke Post
For $45 a month, you'll get five or more products across a wide span of manly categories; an email on the 1st of the month gives you a heads-up on the chosen goods. Unlike other services that sucker you in no matter what, Bespoke lets you pass on shipments that don't strike your fancy. But when they do, get ready for a "Box of Awesome" from emerging craftsmen and designers whose goods range from the bathroom to the bar. bespokepost.com

Manpacks
Less random than other services, Manpacks allows users to pre-order and schedule deliveries for the items they need most. With offerings ranging from condoms and shave cream to organic boxer briefs, it'll make sure you're never without your core essentials—however you define them. manpacks.com

Kyoku for Men
This service allows users to select shave, face or big-box assortments that can be scheduled for 30-, 45- or 60-day deliveries. To entice users to get hooked on their moisturizers, facial scrubs and balms, Koyku offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. kyokuformen.com

Svbscription
If the aforementioned services inspire you to optimize your life outside of the bathroom, check out the ultimate in premium subscriptions. Svbscrption offers a mix of best-in-class items, including international magazines, stationery, home goods and more, curated around a theme (the latest is "Business," devoted to "a new golden age in business.") Quarterly subscriptions start at $300. Offerings also include a premium service, starting at $559, and one-off deliveries. svbscription.com